United States shrimp group toasts Trump's 'Buy American' executive order

20 April 2017, 07:00 | Laverne Osborne

President Donald Trump just signed an executive order that could potentially have an impact on small businesses - but not necessarily right away. Workers in the USA and U.S. workers are defined as either United States citizens or foreign nationals who have permanent residency, seek asylum, have been granted refuge or those who have been authorised to work. Big technology companies have long supported efforts to change the H- 1B process - by increasing application fees or giving priority to applicants with advanced degrees.

Trump administration says that the H1-B visa programme, which was originally created to bring in highly-qualified foreign workers to do high-end jobs, has been subverted by companies, which are bringing entry-level workers in the USA to replace American workers.

"We are sending a powerful signal to the world: We're going to defend our workers, protect our jobs and finally put America first", said Trump at Snap-On in Wisconsin Such a move would ensure businesses put USA workers first and reduce the abuse of the current visa program. After payment of an additional 1,225 USA dollars in charge, USCIS responds typically in 15 calendar days, whereas standard H-1B petitions may take anywhere between three to six months to receive a judgement.

After President Donald Trump spoke to workers in Wisconsin on Tuesday, he signed an executive order calling on the government to fully review its H-1B visa program for temporary workers and to prioritize American firms when working with contractors.

"Widespread abuse in our immigration system is allowing American workers of all backgrounds to be replaced by workers brought in from other countries to fill the same job for sometimes less pay. This will stop", Trump added. "We're going to defend our workers, protect our jobs, and finally put American first".

The US has already moved on addressing this issue by announcing a new set of guidelines for those qualifying for H-1B visas.

The argument is similar to the one some of the same tech companies outlined in a similar brief opposing Trump's first attempt at the travel ban, which was shut down by a federal judge earlier this year.

Baglay also downplayed criticism of the government's foreign policy vis-a-vis job creation, saying the government has facilitated expansion of workforce through its flagship programmes such as "Make in India" and "Skill India" as also by delivering large technological partnerships and enhanced Foreign Direct Investment. "By contrast, the median Silicon Valley software engineer's wage is probably around United States dollars 150,000", the White House official added. Many Trump products are produced overseas, and he has hired foreign workers at his properties including at Mar-a-Lago, his club in Palm Beach, Fla., which has become his frequent base of operations on weekends. IT companies will find it hard to hire expensive labour for projects with low margins and thus offshore it to cheaper destinations.

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